Spokane’s Barrister Winery has released four new wines for 2010. These new releases are a showcase for why Barrister is getting worldwide attention for their consistency of quality, character, structure, and flavor. When co-owner and co-winemaker Greg Lipsker asked if I was interested in previewing the new releases, I had to calm myself before answering with a resounding YES! Greg and Mike are responsible for some of my favorite wines. Their Rough Justice blend was my January wine of the month. Barrister is located in an historic 100 year old building in Spokane’s downtown core (Railroad Ave, west of […]

Today’s post is from guest writer Coryn Briggs of Black Star Farms “I don’t like Riesling because it is too sweet,” how many times have I heard this…the answer, one too many. The reality is that some of the best Rieslings are made in a variety of styles ranging from bone dry to off dry to semi dry to sweet to late harvest. This is what is so fabulous about this varietal! Indeed Riesling is a “noble” grape with tremendous ability to produce amazing wines suited for any palate and meal for that matter. The grape’s resistance to a cool […]

Guest blog post from Tamara Belgard of SipWithMe Bacon is the new black, or so said the shirt on Cochon 555’s Master of Ceremonies. Sunday welcomed five chefs, five pigs and five winemakers to the Governor Hotel’s ballroom for Porkland’s culinary event of the year, Cochon 555. This national event pairs local wine with swine in order to promote breeding diversity and to help raise awareness for heritage breeds and family owned farms around the country. Portland superstar chefs Naomi Pomeroy of Beast, Gabriel Rucker of Le Pigeon, Andy Ricker of Pok Pok, Cathy Whims of Nostrana and Jason Barwikowski […]

Hey, you, wine blogger! Are you coming to the Palouse for the 2010 North American Wine Bloggers Conference? During the conference you’ll learn about the terroirs of the Walla Walla region, you’ll talk with regional leaders about the Washington wine industry and you’ll taste some of the best that Washington has to offer. You will leave understanding why Washington wine is not just the “#2” wine growing region in the country, it’s the perfect climate for wine. Get Your Palate Primed for Washington Wine Before you arrive for the Wine Bloggers Conference, you’re invited to explore Washington wine with the […]

Guest Blog Christine Collier from @southernORwine I may look more like a sorority girl than a sommelier, but that is exactly the reason I am pursuing my Court of Master Sommeliers certification. I want to level out the playing field with more formal wine knowledge to offset my 23 year-old, blonde, perky self. As a wine blogger and social marketing coordinator for an Oregon winery, many questioned why I was pursuing the Court of Master Sommeliers program instead of the Masters of Wine. And to tell you the truth, the first reason was the higher cost of the MW, but more importantly, […]